Posted on 03/23/2005 12:33:10 PM PST by Crackingham
Cannabis use as a teenager increases the risk of developing schizophrenia in later life, a study using research on New Zealand youths has revealed. A report in the British Medical Journal showed those who used cannabis as a teenager had a 10 per cent chance of developing psychosis by the age of 26. The general public have a 3 per cent risk.
The conclusions were based on a study by the Institute of Psychiatry in London of 759 people born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between 1972 and 1973. That report was used and supported by Dutch researcher Dr Jim van Os, who drew similar conclusions from a study of youths in Munich, Germany, to be published in the New Scientist next Saturday.
After carefully controlling for self-medication and other confounding factors, the British researchers found that those who had smoked cannabis three times or more before the age of 15 were much more likely to suffer symptoms of schizophrenia. The team concluded that there was a vulnerable minority of teenagers for whom cannabis is harmful.
"We're not saying that cannabis is the major cause of schizophrenia," said Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, who led the study. "But it's a risk factor."
"I don't think we can deny it any longer," said epidemiologist Mary Cannon of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, based in Dublin, who helped carry out the research in New Zealand. "Cannabis is part of the cause of schizophrenia."
Well talking about it is sure to trigger some hysteria around here.
There's a conspiracy to take away our weed away - they're all in on it you know - all of them. They're watching us.
"No way, dudemeyer! This is all a conspiracy to rob the people of sweet, sweet weed!"
Lame propaganda....
Hello, hello is there anybody in there?
P. Floyd
I like cannabis!
Me too!
"Cannabis use 'trigger for schizophrenia'"
This explains some of our pro-drug posters.
"Just a little pin prick there'll be no more AHHHH"
Yeah i don't think that one is about pot
Canibals are OK with me as long as I'm not "What's for dinner."
I smoked pot. I can personally attest to the fact that this study is unmitigated bulls@#t, because I'm not schizophrenic and NEITHER AM I.
Ok, so where's the population cohort of schizophrenics to go along with the boom in marijuana use in the 60's and 70's?
It never affected me and I will injure anyone who says different. I know they are out there just waiting for me to fall asleep but I never do. And if I do nod off, I am protected by my friends deep inside the earth. But I am not affected - . . at all.
Looks like someone was watching "Reefer Madness" for research.
I can believe this because it used to make me parinoid and dipressed...
well if your are going to reduce the numbers 3 out of 10 sounds even worse!
whoops I'm an idiot :)
disregard
Is that why I hear so many voices?
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